“In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by Jury shall be preserved and no fact tried by a Jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law."

How did the Founders write the Bill of Rights? Explore key historical documents that
inspired the Founders during their drafting process as well as the drafts and proposals for
each amendment. Follow the twists and turns as the Founders deliberated and,
sometimes, disagreed, on their path to the final text. See what “could have been” had the
Founders followed a different path.

1. Choose an amendment

Start by selecting one of the Amendments to the Constitution at the top of the screen

2. select a source

Then, select any of the source documents in the legislative process. Compare that document’s text to that which Congress ultimately enacted.

3. explore

Repeat across any of the other Amendments – some were more contentious than others.